Manchester United’s manager expresses frustration over defensive lapses but defends his decision to substitute Rashford.
In a gripping encounter at Estádio do Dragão, Manchester United and FC Porto played out a dramatic 3-3 draw, leaving manager Erik ten Hag grappling with both defensive shortcomings and squad rotation strategies. The clash saw United take an early lead, courtesy of goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Højlund within the first 20 minutes, only for Porto to fight back and equalise, making for an unforgettable night in Portugal.
Ten Hag didn’t mince words when addressing Rashford’s role in the defensive chaos that led to Porto’s opening goal, admitting that the England forward was partly responsible for allowing Pepê to score from a cross along his flank. However, when questioned about Rashford’s substitution at half-time, Ten Hag clarified that it was a tactical decision aimed at squad management rather than a disciplinary action.
“I have to watch it back, and over on the left side, we didn’t defend well tonight,” Ten Hag stated. “Marcus also played a part in this, but it had to do with Alejandro Garnacho coming on – nothing against Rashford. We have a tough game on Sunday against Aston Villa, and we need players fresh.”
Despite the early promise shown by United, Porto clawed their way back into the match. The hosts equalised within seven minutes of the first goal, first through Pepê and then Samu, who capitalised on further defensive errors from United. Ten Hag expressed his disappointment at the manner in which his team conceded goals, especially just five minutes into the second half when Samu struck again.
“Then it’s really tough when you address the issues at half-time and then concede the third one. It’s so unnecessary,” he lamented. “Our defending needs to improve, and it’s also about willingness.”
Yet, despite the tumultuous match, Ten Hag took a moment to praise his team’s resilience in the face of adversity. After Bruno Fernandes was sent off for the second consecutive game, the pressure mounted on United. However, they managed to secure a point when Harry Maguire headed home an equaliser deep into added time.
In the dressing room post-match, a spirited inquest ensued, with Ten Hag emphasising the importance of learning from the defensive lapses. He implored fans and pundits to refrain from hasty judgments about the team’s future, saying, “Don’t judge us in this moment. I judge us at the end of the season. We are in the process. Just wait. We have to develop this team. We will work and continue. We will fight.”
Ten Hag’s tenure has been under scrutiny following a rocky start to the season, with pressure mounting for him to turn United’s fortunes around. This spirited draw may provide a glimmer of hope, yet questions linger over the team’s defensive solidity and overall performance as they prepare for a challenging fixture against Aston Villa
